As Martin accepted his trophy from the teenage singing sensation, he paid tribute to the legends of pop.

"I need to thank Elvis, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna. Thank you so much for being leaders and teaching me the beauty of pop."

Madonna, who was awarded for her comic dance in the Austin Powers theme tune Beautiful Stranger, livened up the proceedings by entering the elegant Metropolitan Opera House with a host of drag queens dressed up as her many incarnations, from Like a Virgin to Material Girl to Evita.

"It takes a real man to fill my shoes," the pop diva said.

Condemning violence

TLC, a female trio, whose hit No Scrubs rails against no-good men, won best group video award, while the prize for best new artist went to Eminem for My Name Is.

Charlotte Church: Presented the awards

Rapper and actor Will Smith won the best male video category for his Miami.